TRANSCAVAL BIOPSY OF RETROPERITONEAL FIBROSIS

An additional use of the transjugular hepatic Tru-cut biopsy needle is reported. A periaortic mass was biopsied with this device inserted th rough the femoral vein under fluoroscopy guidance. Based on the sample d tissue, a diagnosis of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis was made. The procedure was well tolerated, and long-term follow-up confirmed t he diagnosis. Transcaval retroperitoneal biopsy may represent an alter native to surgical biopsy of diffuse retroperitoneal disease in high o perative-risk patients.